Lacing tape dispenser

ABSTRACT

A lacing tape dispenser having an upright spindle, an upright guide and a cutting blade, all mounted on an upper surface of a weighted base. The upright guide directs lacing tape from a spool mounted on the upright spindle. The cutting blade is pivotally mounted in a blade housing and is biased into a position such that the cutting edge is contained within the housing. A receiving notch accepts the lacing tape pulled through the upright guide. The cutting blade is biased such that the force of pulling the lacing tape through the receiving notch pivots the cutting blade so as to expose the cutting edge through the receiving notch.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lacing tape dispenser. Specifically, the present invention is directed to a dispenser for lacing tape that retains a spool of lacing tape stationary, smoothly guides the end of the lacing tape from the spool to a work area, and easily cuts the lacing tape once the tape has tied or bound cables together.

Cable lacing or lacing tape is used for tying wiring harnesses and/or cable looms, traditionally used in telecommunication, Naval, and aerospace applications. This cable management technique is often used in modern applications because it does not create obstructions along the length of the cable, avoiding the handling problems of cables groomed by plastic or Velcro cable ties.

Cable lacing uses a thin cord, traditionally made of waxed linen, to bind together a group of cables using a series of running lock stitches. Flat lacing tapes made of modern material such as nylon, polyester, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), fiberglass, and meta-aramid polymers (e.g. NOMEX®) are also available with a variety of coatings to improve knot holding.

Cable lacing begins and ends with a whipping or other knot to secure the free ends. Wraps are spaced relative to the overall harness diameter to maintain the wiring in a tight, neat bundle, and the ends are then neatly trimmed. In addition to continuous or running lacing, there are a variety of lacing patterns used in different circumstances. In some cases, stand-alone knots called spot ties are also used. For lashing large cables and cable bundles to support structures in telecommunications applications, there are two named cable lacing styles: the “Chicago stitch” and “Kansas City stitch”. Other organizations employ different standards to which cable lacing must conform.

Traditionally, a spool of lacing tape would be provided where a user would use the spool in a free-standing mode or otherwise secure the spool in a stand-alone device. The user would then unravel as much of the lacing tape as is necessary to complete a binding and manually cut the tape using a knife, scissors or other hand-held blade. The disadvantage of this method is that the spool may either not be secured and spontaneously unravel when it may fall or otherwise dislodge from where it is secured. In addition, the manner in which a user secures the spool may hinder the ability to smoothly unwind the lacing tape as it is needed. Further, a cutting device may not always be handy or available to a user to cut the lacing tape from the spool after it is dispensed. Finally, a user may have to secure a spool of lacing tape in a location distant or remote from where the lacing tape must be applied.

Accordingly, there is a need for a lacing tape dispenser that addresses these needs. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides other related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lacing tape dispenser comprising a weighted base, an upright spindle, a cutting blade, and an upright guide. The upright spindle extends from a first surface of the weighted base, preferably a top surface such that the spool of lacing tape is oriented upright. The cutting blade is also disposed on the first surface of the weighted base on an opposite edge of the first surface from the upright spindle. The upright guide is disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade.

The upright spindle is configured to receive a spool of lacing tape thereon. The upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets to support and retain the spool of lacing tape. In the case of heavier or larger spools of lacing tape, the lower grommet may be enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape.

The upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough. The purpose of the upright guide is to guide the lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade. The upright guide is preferably disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade. Ideally, the upright guide is slightly closer to the cutting blade than the upright spindle.

The cutting blade is preferably enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted box. The blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive the lacing tape. The cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position. The blade housing also includes a biasing means whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position. The biasing means permits pivotal movement of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a partially exploded perspective view of the lacing tape dispenser of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial exploded view of the blade housing of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a further exploded view of the blade housing of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the safety position of the blade of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2 illustrating the cutting position of the blade of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lacing tape dispenser of the present invention illustrating the lacing tape threaded through the upright guide and the blade housing;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lacing tape dispenser of the present invention illustrating cutting of the lacing tape; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lacing tape dispenser of the present invention including an enlarged lower grommet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The present invention is directed to a lacing tape dispenser that provides faster, safer and easier transportation and use of spools of lacing tape. More specifically, the present invention is directed to an easily transportable lacing tape dispenser that allows for smooth dispensing of lacing tape and ease of cutting lacing tape.

FIG. 1 depicts a partially exploded perspective view of a lacing tape dispenser 10 of the present invention. The lacing tape dispenser 10 has a weighted base 12. The weighted base 12 is a generally rectangular prism or three-dimensional block. The weighted base 12 may be solid or hollow. If the weighted base 12 is hollow it preferably includes a solid block of heavy material to give the base 12 its weight. The weighted base 12 may also include a retractable spring-loaded handle to permit easier carrying and transport of the dispenser 10.

The weighted base 12 preferably includes a first, top surface 14 and a second, bottom surface 16. The bottom surface 16 preferably includes feet or pads to provide a stable, non-slip support for the dispenser 10 on most surfaces.

The first, top surface 14 includes an upright spindle 18 attached to the weighted base 14, preferably proximate to a first edge 20 of the top surface 14. If the weighted base 12 is solid, the upright spindle 18 is preferably attached directly to the weighted base 12. If the weighted base 12 is hollow, the upright spindle 18 preferably passes through an opening in the top surface 14 and is attached directly to the weighted material contained in the hollow base 12. It is important here that the upright spindle 18 be secured to the mass that gives the base 12 its weight. In this way, the upright spindle 18 will be properly anchored such that it can receive, support and retain a spool of lacing tape as described below.

The upright spindle 18 also includes an upper grommet 22 and a lower grommet 24. Both grommets 22, 24 are preferably made of rubber or another semi-resilient material so as to support and retain a spool of lacing tape 26 in a secure manner. The upper grommet 22, lower grommet 24 and spool of lacing tape 26 each have a central opening or passage therethrough that can receive the upright spindle 18. The lower grommet 24 is placed on the upright spindle 18 first. The spool of lacing tape 26 is then placed on the upright spindle with the upper grommet 22 placed on top. A wing nut 28 or other securing means is then placed on top of the upright spindle 18 to keep all of the components in place. A spacing ring may be used under the lower grommet 24 or on top of the upper grommet 22 where the spool of lacing tape 26 is significantly shorter than the upright spindle 18. As depicted in FIG. 8, the lower grommet 24 may be replaced by an enlarged grommet 32 where the spool of lacing tape 26 is replaced with a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape 34, which tends to be larger and heavier than a standard spool of lacing tape 26.

The top surface 14 also includes an upright guide 36 that is positioned approximately in the center of the top surface 14. Preferably, the upright guide 36 is positioned slightly farther from the first edge 20 than it is from a second edge 38 of the top surface 14. This is done so that the upright guide 36 is not too close to the edge of the spool of lacing tape 26.

The upright guide 36 is approximately half as tall as the upright spindle 18 and includes an eyelet 40 at the top thereof. The eyelet 40 is to guide the lacing tape 42 off of the spool 26 in a smooth manner. The eyelet ensures that the lacing tape 42 is always pulled at the same level by a user regardless of whether the tape 42 is coming from the top or the bottom of the spool 26. Preferably, the eyelet 40 includes a rubber washer 44 therethrough to provide a smooth and secure transmission of the lacing tape 42 through the eyelet 40.

A blade housing 46 is disposed on the top surface 14 proximate or adjacent to the second edge 38. This positions the blade housing 46 on the opposite side of the top surface 14 from the upright spindle 18 with the upright guide 36 disposed between the two.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-5, the blade housing 46 includes a receiving notch 48 that has a cutting blade 50 retained therein. The cutting blade 50 is a generally rectangular steel blade having an angled leading edge 52 and a sharpened upper edge 54. The cutting blade 50 is secured in the receiving notch 48 in a pivoting manner around a pivot point 56 proximate to the receiving notch 48. The cutting blade 50 pivots between a safety position 58 (FIG. 4) and a cutting position 60 (FIG. 5). In the safety position 58 the sharpened, upper edge 54 of the cutting blade 50 is contained within the blade housing 56 and not exposed through the receiving notch 48. In the cutting position 60 the sharpened, upper edge 54 of the cutting blade 50 is withdrawn from the blade housing 46 and exposed through the receiving notch 48. The blade housing 46 also includes a biasing spring 62 or similar means for biasing the cutting blade 50 into the safety position 58 such that the sharpened, upper edge 54 is enclosed in the blade housing 56 and not exposed through the receiving notch 48.

In operation, as illustrated in FIGS. 6-8, a spool of lacing tape 26 is positioned on the upright spindle 18 between the lower grommet 24 and upper grommet 22. The lacing tape 42 is then partially unwound from the spool 26 and threaded through the eyelet 40 of the upright guide 36. In this configuration, a user can easily and rapidly dispense lacing tape 42 from the spool 26 when bundling or binding cables.

When a user is ready to cut the lacing tape 42 from the spool 26, one need only insert the lacing tape 42 into the receiving notch 48. As the lacing tape 42 presses against the angled, leading edge 52 of the cutting blade 50, the biasing spring 62 permits the cutting blade 50 to pivot downward such that the sharpened, upper edge 54 retracts from the blade housing 46 and is exposed in the receiving notch 48. Once the sharpened, upper edge 54 is exposed it slices the lacing tape 42.

Upon slicing the lacing tape 42, the cutting blade 50 pivots back up into the blade housing 46 such that the sharpened, upper edge 54 is no longer exposed through the receiving notch 48. Such pivoting action occurs by the biasing spring 62 pressing on the cutting blade 50 once the force of the lacing tape 42 being inserted into the receiving notch 48 is removed. The biasing spring 62 is preferably configured such that the force of pulling the lacing tape 42 through the receiving notch 48 is sufficient to pivot the cutting blade downward until the sharpened, upper edge 54 is exposed in the receiving notch 48, thus cutting the lacing tape 42.

This pivoting operation of the cutting blade 50 creates a fast, safe and easy mechanism by which the lacing tape 42 is severed. The dispenser 10 facilitates dispensing of the lacing tape 42 and cutting of the same during use. It is also safer than a hand knife or scissors as the cutting edge is only exposed during the actual cutting and is otherwise retracted within the blade housing 46. It is also easy to use as a user need not worry about the spool of lacing tape 26 moving around during use as it is securely retained immobile by the dispenser 10.

Although the lacing tape dispenser 10 has been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The above-described disclosure is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is determined only by the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A lacing tape dispenser, comprising: a weighted base, having a first surface; an upright spindle extending from the first surface of the weighted base for receiving a spool of lacing tape; a cutting blade disposed on the first surface of the weighted base opposite the upright spindle; and an upright guide disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade.
 2. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets configured to support and retain the spool of lacing tape.
 3. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 2, wherein the lower grommet is enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape.
 4. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough so as to guide lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade.
 5. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the upright guide is disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade.
 6. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 1, wherein the cutting blade is enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted base, and the blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive lacing tape.
 7. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 6, wherein the cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position.
 8. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 7, further comprising a biasing means within the blade housing whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position.
 9. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 8, wherein the biasing means permits pivoting of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch.
 10. A lacing tape dispenser, comprising: a weighted base, having a first surface; an upright spindle extending from the first surface of the weighted base; a cutting blade disposed on the first surface of the weighted base opposite the upright spindle, wherein the cutting blade is enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted base, and wherein the blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive lacing tape; and an upright guide disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade, wherein the upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough so as to guide lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade.
 11. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 10, wherein the upright spindle is configured to receive a spool of lacing tape.
 12. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 11, wherein the upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets configured to support and retain the spool of lacing tape.
 13. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 12, wherein the lower grommet is enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape.
 14. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 10, wherein the upright guide is disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade.
 15. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 10, wherein the cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position, further comprising a biasing means within the blade housing whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position.
 16. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 15, wherein the biasing means permits pivoting of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch.
 17. A lacing tape dispenser, comprising: a weighted base, having a first surface; an upright spindle extending from the first surface of the weighted base for receiving a spool of lacing tape, and wherein the upright spindle includes upper and lower grommets configured to support and retain the spool of lacing tape; a cutting blade disposed on the first surface of the weighted base opposite the upright spindle, wherein the cutting blade is enclosed in a blade housing affixed to the weighted base, and wherein the blade housing has a receiving notch configured so as to receive lacing tape; and an upright guide disposed on the first surface of the weighted base between the upright spindle and the cutting blade, wherein the upright guide is disposed generally midway between the upright spindle and the cutting blade, and wherein the upright guide has an eyelet and a rubber washer therethrough so as to guide lacing tape from the upright spindle to the cutting blade.
 18. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 17, wherein the lower grommet is enlarged so as to support a spool of heavy-duty lacing tape.
 19. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 17, wherein the cutting blade is pivotally mounted within the receiving notch such that the cutting blade pivots between a safety position and a cutting position, further comprising a biasing means within the blade housing whereby the cutting blade is biased into the safety position.
 20. The lacing tape dispenser of claim 19, wherein the biasing means permits pivoting of the cutting blade into the cutting position in response to force exerted by the lacing tape when pulled through the receiving notch. 